A comprehensive numerical model for the analysis of offshore foundations under a general transient loading is presented here. The theoretical basis of the model lies on the Swansea formulation of Biot's equations of dynamic poroelasticity combined with a constitutive model that reproduces key aspects of cyclic soil behaviour in the frame of the theory of generalised plasticity. On the practical side, the adoption of appropriate finite element formulations may prevent the appearance of spurious numerical instabilities of the pore pressure field. In this respect, the use of a coupled enhanced-strain element is here proposed. On the other hand, the practicality of the presented model depends ultimately on its computational efficiency. Some practical recommendations concerning the solution strategies, the matrix storage/handling procedures and the parallel multi-processor computation are here provided. Finally, the performance of the model with a benchmark study case and its practical application to analyse the soil–structure interaction of an offshore monopile under a realistic transient storm loading are discussed.
Porenwasserdruckaufbau und Bodenentfestigung um Pfahlgründungen von Offshore-Windenergieanlagen
(2012)
Die Gründung von Offshore-Windenergieanlagen erfordert oft die Installation von Stahl-Pfählen mit großem Durchmesser, entweder als Monopile- oder Mehrpfahl-Konfiguration (Jacket, Tripod, usw.). In dieser Veröffentlichung werden die Auswirkungen einer zyklischen lateralen Belastung auf Offshore-Pfahlgründungen untersucht. Hierbei wird besonderes Augenmerk auf die Entwicklung des Porenwasserdrucks im umgebenden gesättigten Boden gelegt. Es wird gezeigt, dass der progressive Aufbau von Porenwasserdruck zu erheblichen Veränderungen des Verhaltens der Gründung unter externer Belastung führen kann, die die Stabilität bzw. Gebrauchstauglichkeit der Anlage potenziell gefährden. Dazu werden auch einige Effekte, die während eines realistischen Sturms von moderater Stärke entstehen, untersucht. Die transiente Abminderung der Gründungssteifigkeit wird hierbei thematisiert. Die genannten Aspekte wurden von den Autoren mittels eines gekoppelten zweiphasigen numerischen Modells der Offshore-Gründung untersucht. Das verwendete Stoffgesetz für den Boden, im Rahmen der Theorie der verallgemeinerten Plastizität, kann wichtige Merkmale von zyklischem Bodenverhalten reproduzieren, wie z. B. die Tendenz zu einer fortschreitenden Verdichtung unter zyklischer Belastung, die für Verflüssigungsphänomene unter undränierten Bedingungen verantwortlich ist. Die Notwendigkeit der Verwendung eines solchen Ansatzes wird hier anhand von Vergleichsberechnungen mit einem einfacheren Stoffmodell bzw. mit einem ungekoppelten Modell erörtet. Abschließend werden einige Implikationen der untersuchten Fragenstellungen für die praktische Bemessung von Offshore-Monopiles diskutiert und spezifische Empfehlungen gegeben.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the installation of wind turbines in the offshore environment and their foundation in the seabed it is customary to employ large-diameter steel piles, either in monopile or multi-pile configurations (jacket, tripod, etc. ...). The effects of cyclic lateral loading on the offshore piles and particularly the possibility of a progressive accumulation of residual pore water pressure within the saturated embedding soil are discussed in this article. Here it is shown that this can lead to significant changes of their behaviour under external loading, which can potentially compromise the foundation's stability or serviceability. Furthermore, some of the singular effects arising during a realistic storm of moderate magnitude as well as their potential for transient damages to the foundation's stiffness are addressed in the paper. For the investigation of these phenomena the authors have employed a coupled bi-phasic analytical model of the offshore foundation. The constitutive model employed for the seabed, in the frame of the theory of Generalized Plasticity, can reproduce some complex features of cyclic soil behaviour such as the tendency for a progressive densification under cyclic loading, which is responsible for the soil liquefaction phenomena in undrained conditions. Finally, some implications and specific recommendations for the design of offshore monopiles in the frame of the limit states are provided.
Pore-pressure accumulation and soil softening around pile foundations for offshore wind turbines
(2012)
The saturated sand surrounding an offshore pile
foundation under quasi-static cyclic lateral load can show the
physical phenomena of macromechanical densification and
convective granular flow. Based on the results from physical
model tests at different geometrical scales, this paper
provides a certain quantification of such phenomena and discusses
their causes and consequences. The progressive sand
densification leads to subsidence of the soil surface and a significant
stiffening of the pile behaviour. Conversely, the ratcheting
convective motion of two closed cells of soil beneath
the pile-head is responsible for an endless grain migration at
the soil surface, the inverse grading of the convected material
and a direct shear of the sand at the distinct boundary of the
revolving soil domain. In this respect, and from a macromechanical
perspective considering the soil as a continuum, it
appears that the convecting material tends to follow gradient
lines of shear stress during its ratcheting motion. Concluding
the paper, the practical relevance of these phenomena and
their extrapolation to other conditions are briefly discussed.